Why This Is A Good Trade for Houston

This is a good trade for the Rockets because they are able to obtain some future assets by dealing away an expiring contract. Let’s be realistic, the Rockets aren’t going to be contending for a title anytime soon, and they could benefit from dealing away an expiring contract that would likely leave following the season anyways.

There is much more upside for the Rockets dealing away Christian Wood than keeping him around for his final season and hoping he stays. The addition of PJ Washington is a nice return value as well as the four draft picks they would get along with him.

Washington, this season, is averaging 12.8 points per game, 6.2 total rebounds per game, and 2.5 assists per game from his power forward position while shooting 44.9 percent from the floor and 39.7 percent from the floor. The Rockets would greatly benefit from dealing away one Findlay Prep alum for another in this offseason trade.

Houston may be getting a long-term option at power forward in Washington. Wood is a much better player, but the draft picks make this a deal that the Rockets could not afford to pass on.